At least ITV, the struggling UK broadcaster, is being broad-minded in its search to replace outgoing chief executive Michael Grade. Two contenders on ITV’s shortlist – front-runner Simon Fox, chief executive of music retailer HMV, and Pascal Cagni, head of Apple in Europe – have no background in the industry.

Mr Fox’s experience at HMV has much to recommend it. Like ITV, HMV was struggling to adapt to the digital world when he took charge three years ago. He has revived HMV’s flagging music sales in part by embracing digital technologies.